Knife FAQ

New to knives? This knife FAQ will help you.

How to Choose the Right Knife

Selecting the perfect knife starts with understanding your needs and intended use. What will be its primary purpose?

Are you looking for a versatile tool for bushcraft, a reliable companion for hunting, or something geared toward food preparation at camp? Will you be carving intricate designs in wood, or do you need a sturdy blade for batoning and splitting firewood? Perhaps your focus will be on precision tasks like cutting and slicing.

Once you have identified your primary use, consider key features that will affect the knife's performance.

 

Scandi Grind or Flat Grind - How to Choose the Best Grind for Your Knife.

When selecting a knife, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right blade grind. Both the Scandi grind and flat grind have unique advantages, but the best choice depends on how you plan to use your knife. This guide will help you understand the differences so that you can make an informed decision.

What is a Scandi grind and When Should You use it?

The Scandi grind is perfect for tasks like woodcarving and batoning. Its design offers excellent control, making it ideal for carving feather sticks and splitting wood. This grind is also highly durable making it a reliable choice for outdoor survival tasks or bushcraft.

One of the biggest advantages of the Scandi grind is the ease of sharpening. The flat bevel allows beginners and seasoned users alike to find the correct angle effortlessly, ensuring your knife stays sharp without much hassle. If you're new to knife maintenance, a Scandi grind will save you time and frustration.

What is a Flat grind and Who is it best for?

If you're focused on camp food preparation, game processing, or precision cutting and slicing, the flat grind is the grind for you. Its versatility shines in tasks that require clean, smooth cuts, such as slicing vegetables, meat, or field dressing and preparing game after a successful hunt.

While the flat grind can handle wood carving, it isn't ideal for heavy-duty tasks like batoning. Sharpening a flat grind can also be more challenging for beginners because the angle is less pronounced. A helpful tip is to use a marker pen along the edge to ensure you're maintaining the correct sharpening angle.

So, Which Grind is Right for You?

Choose a Scandi grind if:

  • You will use the knife for bushcraft, woodcarving or batoning.
  • You want a durable grind that is easy to sharpen.

Choose a Flat Grind if:

  • You need a knife for food preparation, game processing, or precision slicing.
  • You prefer a versatile grind for cutting tasks.

By selecting the right blade grind for your specific needs, you'll enhance your knife's performance and longevity. Whether you're heading into the wilderness or preparing a meal in camp, understanding the differences between Scandi and flat grinds will ensure you have the perfect tool for the job.

What are the Benefits of a Full Tang Knife?

When it comes to durability and reliability, a full tang knife is one of the best options available. Its construction, where the blade extends as one solid piece from the tip to the bottom of the handle, makes it the strongest choice for heavy-duty tasks. Here's why a full tang knife is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and bushcrafters:

Unmatched Strength for Heavy-Duty Use

The full tang design provides superior strength, making it ideal for demanding tasks like batoning wood or chopping. Unlike stick-tang knives, which can be prone to breaking under stress, full tang knives are built to withstand the rigours of wilderness survival and bushcraft activities.

Better Balance and Control

Full tang knives offer better balance due to the continuous steel running to the handle. This improved balance not only makes the knife easier to handle during precision tasks but also provides added stability for heavy-duty work.

Durability in Extreme Situations

One of the key advantages of a full tang knife is its reliability in the wild. Even if the handle were to break, the exposed tang allows you to continue using the knife effectively. This makes it an invaluable tool for wilderness trips, where equipment failure can have serious consequences.

Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between carbon steel and stainless steel for your knife depends on your preferences, intended use, and maintenance habits. Both materials have their strengths and trade-offs, so understanding their differences will help you make an informed decision.

The Benefits of Carbon Steel

  • Easier Sharpening:  Carbon steel blades are typically easier to sharpen, even for beginners, and they hold a sharp edge for longer.
  • Hardness and Durability:  Carbon steel is generally harder than stainless steel, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks like batoning.
  • Natural patina:  Over time, a patina develops on carbon steel, which provides some protection against rust and adds character to the blade.

Maintenance Requirements

Carbon steel requires more care to prevent rust and corrosion. it's essential to keep the blade clean and dry, especially in humid environments or after exposure to moisture. Regularly oiling the blade is recommended to maintain its condition.

The Benefits of Stainless Steel

  • Corrosion resistance:  Stainless steel is far more resistant to rust, making it a great choice for environments with high humidity or exposure to salt water.
  • Ease of Maintenance:  It's easier to maintain than carbon steel, requiring less frequent cleaning and oiling.
  • Hygiene:  Stainless steel is ideal for tasks like game processing and butchering, where maintaining cleanliness is crucial.

Which Steel is Right for You?

Choose Carbon Steel if:

  • You prioritise sharpness and edge retention.
  • You're comfortable with a regular maintenance routine and want a knife for heavy-duty bushcraft tasks.

Choose Stainless Steel if:

  • You need a knife for game processing, hunting, or use in wet environments.
  • You prefer a low-maintenance blade or live in a humid or coastal region.

What is the Best Handle Material for an Outdoor Knife?

Choosing the right handle material for your outdoor knife is a matter of personal preference, but it is also important to consider functionality, maintenance, and the conditions in which you'll be using the knife. Here's a breakdown of our popular handle materials to help you decide:

Natural Wood: Beauty and Tradition

  • Advantages:  Natural wood handles offer unmatched aesthetic appeal. The unique grain and patterns, and warm organic feel provide a deeper connection to the tool, making it a popular choice for those who value craftsmanship and tradition.
  • Things to Consider:  Wood handles require regular maintenance, such as oiling with boiled linseed oil, to protect them from drying out or cracking. They can expand or contract with temperature swings, humidity, or prolonged exposure to water, which may lead to slight movement in the handle.
  • Best For:  Those who appreciate the natural beauty of wood and don't mind investing time in maintenance.

Stabilised Wood: The Best of Both Worlds

  • Advantages:  Stabilised woods offers the charm of natural wood but with enhanced durability. It is treated to resist moisture, temperature changes, and cracking, making it more weather-resistant and low-maintenance than untreated wood.
  • Best For:  Users who want the look of wood but with less upkeep.

Micarta and G10: Durable and Weather-Resistant

  • Advantages:  Micarta and G10 are synthetic materials designed for maximum toughness. They are virtually impervious to moisture, temperature changes, and wear, making htem excellent for demanding outdoor environments. Unlike wood, they don't rquire oiling or special care.
  • Appearance:  While they lack the natural charm of wood, they come in various colours and textures, offering a modern and practical aesthetic.
  • Best For:  Those who prioritise durability, weather resistance, and minimal maintenance over traditional looks.

Which Casström Bushcraft Knife Should I Choose?

When it comes to bushcraft knives, Casström offers a range of high-quality tools, each designed to excel in the outdoors. While we may be biased, all our knives are versatile, durable, and well-suited for bushcraft tasks. Each knife features a zero Scandi grind, which ensures excellent carving ability, field sharpening ease, and compatibility with firesteels due to the angle of the spine. Here's a breakdown of the options, listed by blade length, to help you choose the best knife for your needs.

  • No.14 SFK (14cm blade) A robust and powerful knife designed for heavy-duty tasks like batoning large pieces of wood. Ideal for wilderness trips and survival tasks where strength and durability are paramount.
  • Lars Fält  (11.5cm blade) A versatile blade offering excellent control while still being capable of splitting larger pieces of wood. A great choice for those seeking a balance between power and precision.
  • No.10 SFK (10cm blade) An all-rounder bushcraft knife. Perfect for carving, batoning, and general outdoor tasks. It's more compact size makes it highly manoeuvrable and practical for a variety of uses.
  • Woodsman (9cm blade) Another versatile option that excels in precision tasks. Slightly shorter than the No.10 SFK, the Woodsman is great for wood carving and batoning smaller pieces of wood while being compact enough for finer work.
  • No.8 SFK (8cm blade) The smallest of the lineup, but what we like to call the "Little Big Knife". The No.8 is a versatile utility tool. Its thinner steel thickness makes it perfect for carving, food preparation, and general camping tasks. While it's not designed for batoning, it shines at precision and utility work.
*Read our note on zero scandi grind knives which appears under the specification on each scandi grind knife page.

What is the Best Hunting knife?

Choosing the best hunting knife depends on your specific needs, but Casström offers a range of high-quality options tailored for hunters. Whether you need a versatile all-rounder, a compact blade, or a specialised tool, here's a breakdown of our top recommendations:

  • No.10 SFK Hunters seeking a reliable, multi-purpose tool that performs well for skinning, field dressing, and general outdoor use.
  • Safari Mini-Hunter Hunters who prefer a smaller, lightweight knife that's easy to carry and perfect for intricate tasks like processing smaller species of deer and game.
  • Swedish Field Dresser Hunters looking for a dedicated tool for unzipping game, skinning, and field dressing large game quickly and efficiently.
  • No.8 SFK Hunters who want a general-purpose knife that can handle anything from field dressing to food preparation.

Kydex vs. Leather sheath: Which is Best for Your Knife?

Choosing between a kydex or leather sheath will depend on your personal preference and intended use. Both materials offer distinct advantages and cater to different needs, so let's break it down:

Leather Sheaths Pros  

  • Quiet:  Leather sheaths make less noise during movement, making them ideal for hunting.
  • Natural Aesthetic:  Leather pairs beautifully with wooden handles, offers a timeless, classic look.
  • Durable with Care:  With proper maintenance, leather sheaths can last for years. Use our Lapland leather Wax to protect and maintain the leather's longevity and appearance.

Leather Sheaths Cons

  • Requires Maintenance:  Leather is more susceptible to moisture and environmental wear, so regular conditioning is necessary.
  • Less Resistance to Weather:  Not ideal for prolonged exposure to water or humid conditions.

Kydex Sheaths Pros  

  • Weather-Resistant:  Kydex is impervious to water, humidity, and extreme temperatures, making it an excellent low-maintenance option.
  • Easy to Clean:  Simple rinse with warm, soapy water and dry.
  • Modular:  Kydex sheaths can be paired with a variety of accessories, such as belt clips, molle attachments, or dangler systems, to customise your carry options.

Kydex Sheaths Cons

  • Less Quiet:  Kydex can make a slight noise when drawing or sheathing the knife.
  • Modern Look:  Its synthetic appearance may not appeal to those who prefer a more traditional aesthetic.

Do You Make Left-handed Knife Sheaths?

Yes we do! This is not standard in the industry by any means, but we feel it is important to offer the same sheath options for left-handed people.

Do You Offer any Warranty on Your Knives?

Yes. Each Casström knife has a 25-year warranty, and the warranty details are printed and included in each knife box.